C1300-24FP-4G Cisco Catalyst 1300-24FP-4G L3 PoE+ Managed Network Switch

Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C1300-24FP-4G is a powerful Layer 3 managed Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for modern enterprise networks. It combines advanced routing capabilities, robust security features, and high Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) capacity, making it an excellent choice for offices, campuses, and SMB environments that demand performance, scalability, and reliability.

General Specifications

• Brand: Cisco
• Part Number: C1300-24FP-4G
• Device type: Managed network switch
• Switching layer: Layer 3 (L3)
• Form factor: Rack-mountable chassis
• Ethernet technology: Gigabit Ethernet

Ports & Interfaces

• 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 PoE+ ports
• 4 × 1000BASE-X SFP uplink ports
• 1 × RJ-45 console port
• 1 × USB-C console port

Power over Ethernet (PoE+)

• PoE standard: PoE+
• Total PoE power budget: 370 Watts
• Supports PoE scheduling and persistent PoE

Performance & Capacity

Switching Performance

• Forwarding rate: Up to 41.66 Mpps (64-byte packets)
• Switching capacity: 56 Gbps
• MAC address table: 16,000 entries
• Jumbo frame support: Up to 9000 bytes

Network Scalability

• VLAN support: Up to 4093 VLAN IDs
• Link aggregation groups: 8
• Link aggregation ports: 8
• Priority queues: 8
• Packet buffer size: 1.5 MB

Routing & Multicast Capacity

• IPv4 static routes: Up to 990
• IPv4 interfaces: 128
• IGMP multicast groups: Up to 2000
• MSTP instances: 8
• RPVST+ instances: 126

Routing, Management & Security

Supported Routing & Switching Protocols

• Static IP routing and policy-based routing (PBR)
• RIP-2, CIDR, IPv4 and IPv6 dual stack
• STP, RSTP, MSTP, PVST+, RPVST+
• IGMP v2/v3, MLD, multicast routing support

Remote Management & Monitoring

• SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and RMON
• CLI, SSH, SSH-2, Telnet client/server
• HTTP/HTTPS web management
• Syslog, TFTP, SCP, DHCP, ICMP

Authentication & Encryption

• Authentication methods: RADIUS and TACACS+
• Encryption algorithms: SSL and MD5
• Secure boot, boot integrity, and chip guard

Advanced Features

Network Security & Control

• Access Control Lists (ACLs) with up to 1024 rules
• Port security, MAC address authentication
• DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, IP source guard
• DoS attack prevention and storm control

Traffic Optimization & QoS

• Quality of Service (QoS) with DSCP and CoS support
• WRR scheduling and HOL blocking prevention
• iSCSI traffic optimization
• Auto surveillance VLAN and voice VLAN

VLAN & Enterprise Networking

• Private VLAN, guest VLAN, and Q-in-Q tunneling
• Protocol-based, MAC-based, and dynamic VLANs
• LLDP and LLDP-MED support

Hardware & System Resources

Processor & Memory

• Processor: ARM-based CPU at 1.4 GHz
• System memory: 1 GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Flash storage: 512 MB

Status Indicators & Cooling

• LED indicators: System, PoE, link, activity, and speed
• Cooling system: 1 integrated fan

Power & Compliance

Power Requirements

• Internal power supply
• Input voltage: AC 100–240 V
• Frequency: 50–60 Hz

Industry Standards Compliance

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3z
• IEEE 802.1Q, 802.1p, 802.1D, 802.1W, 802.1S
• IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3az
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), 802.1X

Core Architecture and Hardware Specifications

Built on Cisco's proven hardware architecture, the C1300-24FP-4G is engineered for 24/7 operation in diverse environmental conditions. Its metal, rack-mountable 1RU form factor ensures durability and efficient use of rack space in wiring closets, server rooms, or remote branch offices.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The switch's port matrix is meticulously designed for maximum flexibility and future-proofing. It provides 24 Ethernet ports that combine data and Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, alongside dedicated uplink ports for high-speed aggregation.

24 Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Ports with PoE+

Each of the 24 RJ-45 ports supports 10/100/1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet) speeds, ensuring high-bandwidth connectivity for connected devices. Critically, these ports are equipped with IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+ support, delivering up to 30 watts per port. This allows for the simultaneous powering and data transmission of a wide range of devices, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and simplifying deployment. You can directly connect and power devices such as Cisco wireless access points (e.g., Aironet 1800/2800/3800 Series), IP phones, video surveillance cameras, and access control systems.

4 x 1G SFP Uplink Ports

For uplink connectivity, the switch is outfitted with four 1 Gigabit Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) ports. These fiber-ready ports provide critical flexibility for connecting to network core switches or other distribution layer equipment over longer distances using SFP modules (sold separately). The use of fiber uplinks enhances immunity to electromagnetic interference, extends connection ranges significantly beyond copper limitations, and enables the creation of a more resilient and scalable network backbone.

Integrated 4G LTE Wireless WAN Capability

A defining feature of this model is its integrated 4G LTE wireless WAN module. This provides a built-in cellular failover or primary WAN connection, an essential capability for branch offices, retail locations, or temporary sites where wired broadband is unreliable, unavailable, or cost-prohibitive. In the event of a primary wired WAN failure, the switch can automatically failover to the 4G LTE connection, maintaining business continuity for critical applications.

Advanced Managed Switching Capabilities

Moving beyond basic unmanaged switches, the C1300-24FP-4G operates as a fully managed Layer 2 switch, offering deep visibility, control, and optimization of network traffic.

Comprehensive Management Interfaces

Network administrators can configure and monitor the switch through multiple intuitive interfaces: a familiar Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI) for granular control and automation, a responsive web-based graphical user interface (GUI) for simplified day-to-day management, and support for centralized management platforms like Cisco DNA Center and Cisco Business Dashboard for holistic network oversight.

Layer 2 Switching Features

The switch delivers a full suite of enterprise-class switching features designed to enhance network performance, stability, and security.

Virtual LAN (VLAN) Support

Support for IEEE 802.1Q VLANs allows logical segmentation of a single physical network into multiple broadcast domains. This improves security by isolating sensitive traffic (e.g., finance, surveillance), reduces broadcast traffic congestion, and simplifies network management and policy enforcement.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

Implementation of IEEE 802.1D STP and its rapid convergence variant, IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), prevents network loops in redundant topologies, ensuring a loop-free logical path while maintaining backup links for automatic failover, thus enhancing network reliability.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Advanced QoS features prioritize latency-sensitive traffic, such as voice and video, over standard data traffic. By classifying, policing, and queuing traffic based on IEEE 802.1p Class of Service (CoS) or IP Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) values, the switch ensures optimal performance for unified communications and real-time applications.

Link Aggregation (EtherChannel)

Support for Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) enables the bundling of multiple physical ports into a single logical channel. This increases bandwidth, provides load balancing, and offers inherent redundancy—if one link in the bundle fails, traffic is automatically redistributed across the remaining links without disruption.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Management and Optimization

The integrated PoE+ functionality is not just a power source; it is a managed subsystem. The switch provides detailed PoE monitoring and control, which is critical for planning and maintaining a powered device ecosystem.

PoE Budget and Allocation

The C1300-24FP-4G features a substantial PoE power budget, typically 370W or more, allowing it to fully power all 24 ports simultaneously with PoE+ devices. Administrators can view real-time and historical power consumption per port, set power allocation priorities to ensure critical devices (like phones or access points) receive power first, and remotely cycle power to connected devices for troubleshooting—a feature known as remote PoE reboot.

Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) and Pre-Standard Support

While primarily supporting standard PoE/PoE+, the switch platform often includes detection for a variety of Cisco pre-standard and specialty devices, ensuring broad compatibility with Cisco's ecosystem of endpoints.

Integrated Security and Resilience Features

Security is embedded at multiple layers within the switch, protecting both the network infrastructure and the data flowing through it.

Network Access Control

Features like IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication integrate with RADIUS servers to ensure only authorized users and devices can access the network. MAC address filtering and port security limits provide additional layers of control at the access edge.

Storm Control and DHCP Snooping

Storm control prevents broadcast, multicast, or unicast traffic storms from degrading switch performance. DHCP snooping acts as a firewall between untrusted hosts and trusted DHCP servers, preventing rogue DHCP servers from distributing incorrect IP information.

Resilient Hardware and Software Design

From a hardware perspective, the switch is built with robust, field-replaceable components like dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies (in specific SKUs) and fan modules. Software resilience is provided through features like Configurable Dual-Image, which allows an administrator to store two copies of the IOS software image and roll back to a previous version if an upgrade encounters issues.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco C1300-24FP-4G makes it an ideal solution for a multitude of environments where reliable, intelligent, and powered connectivity is non-negotiable.

Medium-Sized Business Core Access Switch

In a typical office environment, this switch serves as the primary access layer device, connecting employee workstations, IP phones, and conference room systems. Its PoE+ capability powers the entire VoIP phone system and wireless access points seamlessly, while its management features allow IT staff to segment guest traffic, prioritize voice calls, and monitor network health.

Distributed Enterprise Branch Office

For retail branches, bank branches, or remote offices, the integrated 4G LTE module is a game-changer. It can serve as the primary WAN connection where wired options are poor, or as an automatic, instantaneous failover path, ensuring point-of-sale systems, inventory databases, and video surveillance remain online, protecting revenue and security.

Advanced Surveillance and IoT Deployments

In security-focused installations, such as campuses, warehouses, or smart buildings, the switch can power dozens of high-resolution IP cameras, access control readers, and sensors over long distances via its SFP uplinks. VLANs can isolate surveillance traffic, while QoS ensures smooth, real-time video feeds to monitoring stations and recorders without latency or packet loss.